Washington, DC – October, 12, 2012- Washington, DC-based International Federation of Black Prides (IFBP), an international organization committed to achieving equality and social justice for the Black LGBT community announced today that it has changed its name to the Center for Black Equity (CBE).

IFBP has been in existence since 1999. The announcement of the name change was made yesterday by CBE president Earl Fowlkes and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, at a press conference in Washington, DC.

“Providing a voice for the Black LGBT community is the highest priority of CBE and our members, and our new name compliments our focus: to promote policies that improve the social and economic vitality of the Black LGBT community and to provide resources to help enhance that community through individual and collective work, responsibility and self-determination,” said Fowlkes.

“The name, Center for Black Equity, refocuses and elevates the deep commitment to our mission of achieving equality and justice for Black LGBT communities through expansive platforms focused on Health Equity, Economic Equity and Social Equity. This branding shift also fosters a much needed sense of urgency to increase the public’s understanding of the myriad challenges LGBT communities face on a daily basis,” Fowlkes continued. “We believe that our new identity and expanded platform will facilitate the erosion of misconceptions and prejudices against our members and revitalize the public’s commitment to advocate collaboratively for immediate institutional changes in laws, policies, programs and resource availabilities that allow everyone, including Black LGBT people, to compete effectively in the marketplace.”

Congresswoman Holmes Norton stressed “Many Black LGBTs in this country and worldwide suffer daily ostracism and discrimination, often in isolation, within their own black community and in society at large. Today’s political climate provides opportunities to reinforce the importance of universal human rights that draws no artificial or discriminatory lines. The CBE, for example, must not be alone in responding to some pastors urging people to stay home in response to President Obama’s support of gay marriage.”

To that end, the CBE promotes a global network of LGBT individuals, allies, and community-based organizations dedicated to achieving equality and social justice for Black LGBT communities through the following programs:

“We are inspired to continue this work and bring an even larger message of equality that we can realize together,” said Fowlkes. “Education, availability of resources, and meaningful access to those services are the touchstones of change to foster a unified and prosperous community for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. We look forward to growing the worldwide movement of our supporters at all levels, from local community leaders to political leaders who will continue their work to ensure all LGBT people of their basic equal rights.”

ABOUT CENTER FOR BLACK EQUITY

Center for Black Equity, formally known as the International Federation of Black Prides, is an American institution with a global reach strongly committed to supporting leaders, institutions, issues and programs that lead to social, economic, and cultural equity for all LGBT people of African descent. CBE has more than 400,000 supporters in the United States and abroad. Since CBE’s founding in 1999, members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day – health, educational, social, and economic. For more information visit http://www.centerforblackequity.org. Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CBEINC or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CTR4BLACKEQUITY and Instagram @CTR4BLACKEQUITY.